Kristina Mladenovic Gets Emotional After Giving France 2-1 Lead at Fed Cup 2019 Finals

Kristina Mladenovic pulled off an inspiring come back win over World No.1 Ashleigh Barty 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(1) at the Fed Cup 2019 in front of the 13,841 crowd at the Perth Arena in Australia on Sunday.

Kristina Mladenovic’s win gave France a crucial lead of 2-1 and moved her country insight of a first Fed Cup title in 16 years by making a turnaround in the first reverse singles of the final against Australia.

An emotional Kristina Mladenovic thanked the French fans in Australia for supporting her and revealed that their support helped her to pull off a brave victory the World No.1 in front of her home crowd.

“Thanks for your unconditional support. Incredible match, emotions, and memories. It’s thanks to you and your support that I was able to come through,” Mladenovic said in the post-match on-court interview.

“Julien and all the crowd and my teammates, we kept on fighting every single point,” the 26-year-old said. “That’s the way I love to play my tennis. Ashleigh’s world number one, she’s just a huge champion. I lost the first set but then it was about details.”

“I just kept believing because I felt I was just out there fighting and giving a hard battle and I’m just so proud how I kept pushing and obviously won at the end,” Kristina Mladenovic further added.

Earlier, Caroline Garcia was bageled in both the sets and was crushed 6-0, 6-0 by Ash Barty on Saturday following Ajla Tomljanovic’s faced a similar torrid in her 6-1, 6-1 loss to Mladenovic in the opening singles.

However, Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic won the fourth rubber 6-4, 7-5 against Pauline Parmentier to make Australia right back in the finals.

The title match between France and Australia is set for a huge fifth rubbers final showdown. Sam Stosur will partner with Ash Barty to try and win the first Fed Cup for Australia since 1974. Standing against them will be France’s Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic.